GREAT PROPHECY, AND ITS PARALLELS THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE, HARMONIZED AND EXPOUNDED: COMPRISING A Review of the Common Figurative Theories of Interpretation. WITH A PARTICULAR EXAMINATION OF THE PRINCIPAL PASSAGES RELATING TO THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST, THE END OF THE WORLD, THE NEW AND A SYNOPSIS OF JOSEPHUS' HISTORY OF THE JEWISH WAR. BY REV. D. D. BUCK. AUTHOR OF “THE CHRISTIAN VIRTUES AS A DIVINE FAMILY," ETC. NEW YORK AND AUBURN: MILLER, ORTON & MULLIGAN. New York: 25 Park Row-Auburn: 107 Genesee-st. 18 56922 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six by D. D. BUCK, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Northern District of New-York. PREFACE. TO THE READER: FROM the title page you will learn something respecting the nature and importance of the subjects discussed in this Treatise. The author cannot rationally hope to prevail with all his readers to adopt his views and methods of expounding portions of Scripture, which have been the subject of so much disputation and perplexity. He does hope, however, to awaken additional interest in the important subjects brought under notice, and to excite increased attention to those prophecies whose fulfillment must greatly affect the destiny of the whole world. Be apprised, Reader, before you proceed further, of one trait in the character of this work: you will find that the author does not attempt to explain mysteries, or to defend disputed positions, by merely advancing his own opinions. He will, in every important instance, cite you to the law and to the testimony. You will meet with some disclosures that are sufficiently startling, and with some arguments and illustrations which are entirely new. And you will perceive that the whole matter has been treated with originality and independency. There is but little borrowed from other writers; but what there is, is duly credited. The earnest, prayerful effort of the author has been to be right—exactly right—in all matters pertaining to the great subject in hand, so far as God has deemed it wise to reveal the truth to men. The author has all along proceeded upon the supposition, that God designed the Holy Scriptures for the benefit of mankind; and that, for this reason, they may be understood. Of the origin of this work, something, perhaps, should be known. The peculiar features of the Harmony, and the governing principle and arguments of the Exposition, are not new to the author: they are the result of several years' research and reflection. Indeed, it has been the principal subject of inquiry and investigation for several years. The preparation of the work for the press, however, has been hurried: too much hurried, probably, for the author's personal good, or for the popularity of his publication. It has all been written within the last twelve months. And the labor of composing has been continually interrupted-sometimes for several weeks together-by much personal illness, by almost continual family affliction, by unusually heavy pastoral labors, by a number of calls for extra lectures and addresses, at home, and in other places; not to mention the perplexities and delays occasioned by a change of residence, and the necessary additions to ordinary ministerial labor, in closing up the affairs of one charge and beginning those of another. A large proportion of the work has been composed while the majority, perhaps, of its readers were quietly slumbering. With these facts before him, the candid, and especially the Christian, reader will not fail to make some allowance for such errors and imperfections as must, in the nature of things, more or less mar the productions of human wisdom. Let the critic remember that the golden rule applies to "all things whatsoever;" and, consequently, it must apply to criticism. Finally, Reader, if you would derive most advantage from the perusal of this work, be earnestly advised, (1.) To read the whole work through, in the order in which it is composed; for you will find that all the parts sustain a close relation, and in some cases, the connection is very important. (2.) Endeavor to understand the author's position and meaning in every place. (3.) Be sure to read the Notes,—especially those in the Appendix-in their appropriate connections. (4.) Do not, on any account, fail to examine the synopsis of Josephus' History of the Jewish War, when you come to the place where it is referred to. (5.) And certainly you ought to keep your Bible open before you, and refer to it as often as a complete comprehension of the quotations and references may require; never forgetting that, after all, it is not what man may say, but what God has said, that will prove decisive in human controversy. (6.) Need it be said to Christians-in reference to such important subjects-examine carefully, patiently, prayerfully; desiring and seeking to be divinely enlightened? |